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Ubuntu 20.04 : How to create my own customized ubuntu distribution

ua flag

I have installed Ubuntu 20.04, done some configurations and installed a number of applications (GIMP, Geany, KDENLIVE, etc). I want to create an installable USB (or DVD) with a current image of my system. Then if I need to reinstall (from scratch), I can install from the installable USB (or DVD) and be back to where I am now. How do I do it ?

oldfred avatar
cn flag
Not an answer to your question. But you should have good backups. If you use live installer to install, then restore from backup /home & data, perhaps some settings in /etc and have list of installed apps as part of backup, then you can easily restore. An image backup will be obsolete a few minutes after to use system. I also script half of my restore, also. https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2456011 & https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2436006 & http://askubuntu.com/questions/545655/backup-your-home-directory-with-rsync-and-skip-useless-folders
ua flag
Thanks for your reply, but ....
ua flag
I have a NAS box for my backups (16Tb), so I've got that covered. It takes quite a while to install ubuntu and all of the (approx 30) applications, as well as configuring them all. So I want a means of 'taking a snapshot' which I can 'install' if necessary.
oldfred avatar
cn flag
If it takes more than an hour to reinstall Ubuntu & restore backups, you are not doing it correctly. My install to SSD is about 10 min, but even HDD is just over 12. My /home is tiny as all data is in separate data partition, and /home has all my user settings. The two files in /etc I edit are now scripted, so I do not back them up. Longest time is downloading & reinstalling apps.
ua flag
It takes 15-20 minutes to install ubuntu. But then it takes several hours to install and configure everything else
ua flag
You are obviously missing the point - it's not the ubuntu installation - it's the installation and configuration of 30+ packages that I want to avoid.
oldfred avatar
cn flag
All your configurations should be in /home, so restoring it restores settings. Those that want image backups often suggest clonezilla. http://clonezilla.org/ I also see a lot suggestions of dd or similar, but that also copies all the empty space and requires the same or larger size drive. http://askubuntu.com/questions/545655/backup-your-home-directory-with-rsync-and-skip-useless-folders & http://askubuntu.com/questions/40992/what-files-and-directories-can-be-excluded-from-a-backup-of-the-home-directory/40997#40997
C.S.Cameron avatar
cn flag
A much simpler method than using a ISO file is to use a IMG file when duplicating an OS. See: **How to Duplicate a Ubuntu System for Distribution?** https://askubuntu.com/questions/1300540/how-to-duplicate-a-ubuntu-system-for-distribution
ua flag
Thanks C.S. I'll give it a go :-)
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